FR3123790A1 - Kit and method for assembling a piece of furniture and piece of furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit for assembling a piece of furniture, such as a stool or a chair. According to the invention, this kit comprises: - at least a first elongated part (1) and a second elongated part (4) each having a longitudinal axis (X) and at least one longitudinal groove (2) parallel to this longitudinal axis ( X); the two longitudinal grooves (2) having the same cross section; the first elongated piece (1) having at one longitudinal end a tenon (3) capable of being inserted into the longitudinal groove (2) of the second elongated piece (4); a first hole (5), longitudinal, being provided in the pin (3) and a second hole (6), transverse, being provided in the first elongated part (1) and opening into the first longitudinal hole (5); a third hole (9), transverse, being provided in the longitudinal groove (2) of the second elongated piece (4); - a first fixing element (7) capable of penetrating partially into the first hole (5) and partially into the third hole (9); and - a second fixing element (8) capable of penetrating at least partially into the second hole (6); the first and second fixing elements (7,8) being adapted to cooperate with each other to hold the first and second elongated parts (1,4) together. The invention also relates to a method for assembling an element of furniture as well as to an element of furniture mounted using at least one kit according to the invention. Figure for abstract: Figure 4

Description

Kit and method for assembling a piece of furniture and piece of furniture

The invention relates to a kit for assembling a piece of furniture, such as a stool or a chair.

The invention also relates to a method for assembling an element of furniture as well as to an element of furniture mounted using at least one kit according to the invention.

Background of the invention

Nowadays, modular and modular furniture are very popular because they allow great freedom of size and shape, which makes them easily integrated into a home.

In addition, they give the user the possibility of intervening in the realization of a piece of furniture and the pleasure of creating an object according to his tastes.

Many systems exist to industrially manufacture this type of furniture.

We can cite, for example, that described in the French patent application published under the number FR 2 569 543 and which uses cleats or beams provided with mortises into which are introduced tenons located at the end of boards.

Brief Disclosure of the Invention

The object of the invention is to offer a user more possibilities of creation, so that he can obtain more shapes, and this in a simple and rapid way and by using, on the one hand, a number restricted assembly elements and, on the other hand, few tools for assembling a piece of furniture.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a kit conforming to the following point 1:

1.- Kit for assembling a piece of furniture comprising:

- At least a first elongated part and a second elongated part each having a longitudinal axis and at least one longitudinal groove parallel to this longitudinal axis; the two longitudinal grooves having the same cross section; the first elongated part having, at one longitudinal end, a tenon capable of being inserted into the longitudinal groove of the second elongated part; a first hole, longitudinal, being provided in the tenon and a second hole, transverse, being provided in the first elongated part and opening into the first longitudinal hole; a third hole, transverse, being provided in the longitudinal groove of the second elongated piece;

- A first fixing element capable of penetrating partially into the first hole and partially into the third hole; and

- A second fixing element capable of penetrating at least partially into the second hole; the first and second fastening elements being able to cooperate with each other to hold the first and second elongated pieces together.

Advantageous characteristics of the device of the aforementioned point 1 are indicated in the following points 2 to 7:

2.- Kit according to point 1, in which each longitudinal groove extends along the entire length of the respective elongated piece.

3.- Kit according to point 1 or 2, further comprising means for reinforcing the assembly of the first and second elongated parts.

4.- Kit according to point 3, in which the reinforcing means comprise two brackets, capable of being inserted at least partially into said two longitudinal grooves by being superimposed on one another, as well as a means of spacing of the two brackets from each other, when they are inserted superimposed on one another in said two longitudinal grooves.

4bis.- Kit according to point 4, in which the faces of the brackets intended to face the walls of the longitudinal grooves are provided with mini-pins to increase the friction between the brackets and these walls.

5.- Kit according to one of points 1 to 4bis, in which at least one of the first and second elongated parts has at least one additional longitudinal groove and the kit further comprises at least one slat whose thickness is substantially equal to that of the width of the additional longitudinal groove.

5bis.- Kit according to point 5, in which the longitudinal groove(s) and the additional longitudinal groove(s) have the same dimensions.

6.- Kit according to one of points 1 to 5a, further comprising at least one parallelepipedal filling element whose cross section has the same surface as the cross section of at least one of the longitudinal grooves or, as the case if necessary, in one of the additional longitudinal grooves.

7.- Kit according to one of points 1 to 6, in which the elongated pieces have a cross section chosen from the following:

- a cross section corresponding to a square whose side has a length equal to (3a+2b) and from which eight squares of side a have been removed, at the level of the angles and in the middle of the sides;

- a cross section corresponding to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) and width (2a + 2b) from which five squares of side a have been removed, two at the level of the two angles of the same length, one in the middle of the same length, then two in the middle of the two remaining widths;

- a cross section corresponding to a square of side (2a + 2b) from which three squares of side a have been removed, two in the middle of two adjacent sides, then at the angle formed by these two sides; and

- a cross section corresponding to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) from which two squares of side a have been removed, in the middle of two widths.

7bis.- Kit according to point 7, in which the values a and b are equal.

7ter.- Kit according to one of points 1 to 7bis, in which the surface of the end of the elongated part, from which each tenon protrudes, is perpendicular on all sides to the longitudinal axis of the elongated part.

7quater.- Kit according to one of points 1 to 7ter, in which the cross section of each elongated part is substantially constant over the entire axial length of this part.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to an assembly method in accordance with the following point:

8.- Method of assembling a piece of furniture comprising the steps of:

- obtain a kit according to one of points 1 to 7quater;

- Partially introduce and fix the first fastening element in the third transverse hole of the second elongated piece;

- insert the free end of the first fixing element into the first longitudinal hole of the tenon of the first elongated piece;

- Introduce the second fastening element into the second transverse hole of the first elongated part;

- making the first and second fixing elements cooperate so that they hold together the first and second elongated parts.

9.- Method according to point 8, in which a kit is used according to a point dependent on point 3, further comprising a reinforcement of the assembly of the first and second elongated parts.

10.- Method according to point 9, in which a kit is used according to a point dependent on point 4 at least, in which the reinforcement comprises the following steps:

- insertion of the two brackets superimposed on each other in the two perpendicular longitudinal grooves;

- actuation of the spacing means in order to separate the first and second brackets from each other and thus reinforce the assembly of the first and second elongated parts.

11.- Method according to one of points 8 to 10, in which a kit is used according to a point dependent on point 5 at least, further comprising the step of partially introducing the slat into an additional longitudinal groove.

12.- Method according to one of points 8 to 11, in which a kit is used according to a point dependent on point 6 at least, further comprising the step consisting in completely introducing the parallelepipedal filling element into one longitudinal grooves or, if necessary, in one of the additional longitudinal grooves.

According to yet another aspect, the subject of the invention is a piece of furniture assembled using at least one copy of the aforementioned kit, in particular, by implementing the assembly method which has just been presented.

Such a piece of furniture offers in particular the advantage of being able to be assembled and disassembled an unlimited number of times, of being able to be easily supplemented or lightened by removing some of its constituent parts.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will now be described in detail in the following description which is given with reference to the appended figures, which schematically represent:

: an elongated part of a kit according to the invention, in perspective front view;

: a cross section of the part of the ;

: another elongated part of a kit according to the invention, in perspective front view;

: a kit according to the invention about to be assembled, in perspective front view;

: the kit of the , in the assembled state with the fastening elements of the , in front sectional view;

: a double bracket of a preferred embodiment of the kit according to the invention, in perspective front view;

: the double square of the , being put in place on elongated parts of a kit according to the invention, in perspective front view;

: a stool according to the invention, in perspective front view;

, , and : variants of an elongated part of a kit according to the invention, in cross section; and

and : assemblies according to the invention.

Detailed disclosure of the invention

The invention makes it possible to assemble modular, modular, scalable furniture, composed of sufficiently rigid solid materials such as solid wood, plywood, certain plastics, metals, etc.

For this, the kit according to the invention must first comprise elongated parts. They are usually polygonal-based parts developing regularly along a longitudinal axis.

Such an elongated part 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 3.

It has a longitudinal axis X and, as can be seen in particular on the , its cross-section, which is substantially constant over its entire axial length, corresponds to a square whose side has an equal length (3a+2b) from which 8 squares of side a have been removed, at the level of the angles and in the middle of the sides . 4 identical longitudinal grooves 2 of depth a are thus obtained.

On the , we see a tenon 3 of parallelepiped shape projecting parallel to the longitudinal axis X from a longitudinal end of the elongated part 1. This tenon 3 has a rectangular base of length (a + 2b) and width a and a thickness 18 equal to a.

The values a and b are preferably equal in order to simplify the manufacture of the elongated parts.

The tenon 3 is able to be inserted into a longitudinal groove 2 of a second elongated part 4 identical or similar to the elongated part 1.

As can be seen on the , the elongated part 1 comprises a first longitudinal hole 5 in the tenon 3, preferably in the middle, as well as a second transverse hole 6, preferably made in the transverse groove 2, and which opens into the first longitudinal hole 5.

As can be seen on the , the second elongated part 4 comprises a third hole 9, transverse, in its longitudinal groove 2, that is to say perpendicular to the axis of its longitudinal axis X.

Thus, a first fixing element 7 can penetrate partially into the first hole 5 of the first elongated part 1 and partially into the third hole 9 of the second elongated part 4.

A second fixing element 8 can partially penetrate the second hole 6.

On the are shown in detail examples of first 7 and second 8 fasteners and, on the , their cooperation for the maintenance of the first and second elongated parts 1.4 together.

The first fixing element 7 may be a journal, one end of which is threaded and screwed into the third threaded transverse hole 9 provided at the bottom of the groove 2 of the second elongated element 4. The other end of the first fixing element 7 is at the inside the first longitudinal hole 5 of the first elongated part 1.

The second fixing element 8 can be a screw with a conical point screwed into the second threaded transverse hole 6 of the first elongated part 1 until its conical point exerts a force on the first fixing element 7 aiming to bring the two elongated parts 1 and 4 and to immobilize them, thanks to a longitudinal section 17 of reduced diameter of the fastening element 7.

Thus, once the elongated parts 1 and 4 are assembled, their respective grooves 2 are perpendicular.

Preferably, means are provided to reinforce the assembly of the first and second elongated parts 1.4.

These reinforcement means may consist of two brackets 10 visible on the , which are preferably identical and whose sum of thicknesses is slightly less than the width of the grooves 2, which allows the brackets to be inserted into these grooves and into an angle formed by them, as can be seen in the .

In addition, circular and tapped holes are provided with an axial cylindrical half in one bracket and the other axial cylindrical half in the other bracket. These holes are preferably inclined at 45 or 135 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arms of the brackets in which they are located. In addition, their entrances are chamfered to receive the slotted conical heads 11 of screws 12 with slotted conical head. Thus, as can be deduced from the , by screwing the screws 12 deeply into the holes, the taper of the heads 11 exerts a spreading force on the two brackets 10 located in the two grooves arranged perpendicularly.

Advantageously, the faces of the brackets 10 intended to face the walls of the longitudinal grooves 2 are provided with mini-pins to increase the friction between the brackets and these walls.

When the brackets are made of certain materials, such as plastics, the screws 12 can be self-drilling. With other materials, it is necessary that the bracket holes be threaded.

The elongated parts 1 and 4 are intended to serve for the assembly of other parts such as beams or slats 15 visible on the . The elongated parts 1 and 4 are then preferably provided with additional longitudinal grooves 13,14, visible in particular on the , to accommodate the end of these slats 15.

The thickness of the slats 15 is therefore substantially equal to the width of the longitudinal grooves 13,14 intended to accommodate them.

Advantageously, the longitudinal grooves 2 and the additional longitudinal grooves 13,14 have the same dimensions so that they can be used either with a tenon or a slat.

As can also be seen in the , the kit according to the invention can also be provided with parallelepipedal filling elements or strips 16 whose cross section has the same surface as the cross section of a longitudinal groove 2 or of an additional longitudinal groove 13,14.

These parallelepiped filling elements 16 have at least two functions: an aesthetic function, because they can provide a different color or shade, and a technical function since by filling a groove, they prevent the edges of the groove from injuring a user, snag clothing, harbor dirt, etc.

In Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 are shown variants of elongated part in cross section . The cut was made at the level of tenon 3 to bring out the latter in hatching.

As we can see, the tenons always have a width a, a length (a + 2b) and a thickness a.

Their width a allows them to fit between the parallel walls of a longitudinal groove, their thickness a, to penetrate to the bottom of the groove, while their length (a + 2b) is less important because it is much lower to the length of a longitudinal groove.

Each cross-section is substantially constant over the entire axial length of the corresponding elongated piece.

The cross section of the elongated piece of the corresponds to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) and width (2a + 2b) from which 5 squares of side a have been removed, two at the level of two angles of the same length (in the direction of the longitudinal side), one at middle of this same length, then two in the middle of the two remaining widths (in the direction of the transverse side).

The cross section of the elongated piece of the is identical to that of the elongated part of the , but tenon 3 is perpendicular to that of the .

The cross section of the elongated piece of the corresponds to a square of side (2a + 2b) from which we have removed 3 squares of side a, two in the middle of two adjacent sides, then one at the angle formed by these two sides.

The cross section of the elongated piece of the corresponds to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) and width (a + 2b) from which 2 squares of side a have been removed, in the middle of the two widths (transverse sides).

Of course, some elongated pieces do not have a tenon (their longitudinal ends are therefore flat), others have one and still others have one at each longitudinal end.

The elongated pieces have lengths that depend on the dimensions of the furniture that is intended to be made.

The second fixing element 8 can be a grub screw. It can also be, for certain materials such as wood, self-tapping when screwing into hole 6. For other materials, hole 6 must be tapped. As a variant, it is possible to introduce a threaded central hollow insert into hole 6.

Other assembly systems can be used, for example with an eccentric piece instead of the screw, as described in particular in the United States patent issued under the number US 4,518,278. In this case, of course, the diameter of the second transverse hole 6 must be larger than with a screw.

Process according to the invention

The assembly of a piece of furniture can be carried out according to a process comprising the steps consisting of:

- obtain a kit according to the invention;

- Partially introduce and fix the first fixing element 7 in the third transverse hole 9 of the second elongated part 4;

- Insert the free end of the first fixing element 7 into the first longitudinal hole 5 of the tenon 3 of the first elongated part 1;

- Introduce the second fixing element 8 into the second transverse hole 6 of the first elongated part 1;

- make the first and second fixing elements 7.8 cooperate so that they hold together the first and second elongated parts 1.4.

The method may further comprise reinforcing the assembly of the first and second elongated parts, which reinforcement may comprise the following steps:

- inserting the two brackets 10 superimposed on each other in the two perpendicular longitudinal grooves 2;

- actuation of the spacing means in order to separate the brackets 10 from each other and thus reinforce the assembly of the first and second elongated parts 1.4.

In addition, it is advantageous to provide the step of partially introducing a slat 15 into an additional longitudinal groove 13,14.

Moreover, it is possible to add the step of total introduction of a parallelepipedic filling element 16 in one of the grooves 2,13,14.

It is preferable to provide several types of slats, in particular three, of different widths but of the same length, the narrower slats being provided to be arranged at the ends of the panels that one wishes to manufacture. By varying the number of slats of each type, one can easily obtain the desired width.

The production of the narrowest slats can be done quite simply by longitudinal cutting of the widest slats.

However, it must be ensured that the surface of the end of the elongated part, from which each stud protrudes, is perpendicular on all sides to the longitudinal axis X of the elongated part. Indeed, when the tenon is inserted into a longitudinal groove, it is this base which is in contact with the edges of the longitudinal groove. It is therefore imperative that the base be perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X so that the elongated parts are perpendicular to each other at all angles.

An incalculable number of pieces of furniture of different shapes and sizes can be created by assembling elongated parts according to the invention having cross sections such as those shown in Figures 2, 10, 11 and 12 and slats of various widths.

For example, on the is represented an assembly composed of a vertical part 1 according to the and two horizontal pieces 1 following the .

The assembly of the is composed of a vertical part 1 conforming to the and a vertical piece 1 in accordance with . Beads 16 have been inserted vertically and horizontally into certain grooves of these parts.

The stool of the was made with elongated parts whose length of side a was 11 mm and that of side b was 8 mm. Four elongated pieces of the , four of the and four of the were used, as well as slats 15 and bars 16.

In general, the strips 16 received in the longitudinal grooves 2,13,14 can be fixed by gluing, by tight fitting or by any other appropriate means.

The invention therefore makes it possible to personalize furniture and it is particularly suitable for the manufacture of solid wood furniture from profiles which can be easily mass-produced, then cut to the right length before machining the longitudinal grooves as well that, where applicable, the longitudinal clearances 17 in the shape of an L or an angle (cf. ) in the corners.

Since the operations are similar for all parts, the manufacturing process can be very fast. Wooden furniture, with a = b = 10 mm, a first longitudinal hole of 8 mm, a second and a third transverse hole of 5 mm, commercial dowels with a 6.2 mm thread and grub screws of the type 6.2 mm, very robust and functional, can be easily built.

In addition, the formed objects can be assembled and disassembled an unlimited number of times, supplemented and certain parts can be removed easily.

Claims (13)

Kit for assembling a piece of furniture comprising:
- at least a first elongated part (1) and a second elongated part (4) each having a longitudinal axis (X) and at least one longitudinal groove (2) parallel to this longitudinal axis (X); the two longitudinal grooves (2) having the same cross section; the first elongated piece (1) having at one longitudinal end a tenon (3) capable of being inserted into the longitudinal groove (2) of the second elongated piece (4); a first hole (5), longitudinal, being provided in the tenon (3) and a second hole (6), transverse, being provided in the first elongated part (1) and opening into the first longitudinal hole (5); a third hole (9), transverse, being provided in the longitudinal groove (2) of the second elongated part (4);
- a first fixing element (7) capable of penetrating partially into the first hole (5) and partially into the third hole (9); and
- a second fixing element (8) capable of penetrating at least partially into the second hole (6); the first and second fixing elements (7,8) being adapted to cooperate with each other to hold the first and second elongated parts (1,4) together. Kit according to Claim 1, in which each longitudinal groove (2) extends over the entire length of the respective elongated piece (1,4). Kit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising means for reinforcing (10,11) the assembly of the first and second elongated pieces (1,4). Kit according to Claim 3, in which the reinforcing means comprise two brackets (10), capable of being inserted at least partially into the said two longitudinal grooves (2) being superimposed on one another, as well as a spacer means (11) of the two brackets (10) from each other, when they are inserted in a manner superimposed on one another in said two longitudinal grooves (2). Kit according to one of Claims 1 to 4, in which at least one of the first and second elongated parts (1,4) has at least one additional longitudinal groove (13,14) and the kit further comprises at least one slat (15) whose thickness is substantially equal to that of the width of the additional longitudinal groove (13,14). Kit according to one of Claims 1 to 5, further comprising at least one parallelepipedic filling element (16) whose cross section has the same surface as the cross section of at least one of the longitudinal grooves (2) or , if necessary, in one of the additional longitudinal grooves (13,14). Kit according to one of Claims 1 to 6, in which the elongated parts (1,4) have a cross-section chosen from the following:
- a cross section corresponding to a square whose side has a length equal to (3a+2b) and from which eight squares with side (a) have been removed, at the corners and in the middle of the sides;
- a cross-section corresponding to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) and width (2a + 2b) from which five side squares (a) have been removed, two at the level of the two angles of the same length, one in the middle of the same length, then two in the middle of the two remaining widths;
- a cross section corresponding to a square with sides (2a + 2b) from which three squares with sides (a) have been removed, two in the middle of two adjacent sides, then at the angle formed by these two sides; and
- a cross section corresponding to a rectangle of length (3a + 2b) from which two side squares (a) have been removed, in the middle of two widths. Method of assembling a piece of furniture comprising the steps of:
- obtain a kit according to one of claims 1 to 7;
- partially introduce and fix the first fixing element (7) in the third transverse hole (9) of the second elongated piece (4);
- inserting the free end of the first fixing element (7) into the first longitudinal hole (5) of the tenon (3) of the first elongated part (1);
- introducing the second fixing element (8) into the second transverse hole (6) of the first elongated part (1);
- make the first and second fixing elements (7,8) cooperate so that they hold the first and second elongated parts (1,4) together. A method according to claim 8 in which a kit according to a claim dependent on claim 3 is used, further comprising reinforcing the connection of the first and second elongated pieces (1,4). Method according to Claim 9, in which a kit is used according to at least one claim dependent on Claim 4, in which the reinforcement comprises the following steps:
- inserting the two brackets (10) superimposed on one another in the two perpendicular longitudinal grooves (2);
- actuation of the spacing means (11) in order to separate the first and second brackets (10) from each other and thus reinforce the assembly of the first and second elongated parts (1,4). Method according to one of Claims 8 to 10, in which a kit is used according to at least one claim dependent on Claim 5, further comprising the step of partially inserting the slat (15) into an additional longitudinal groove (13 ,14). Method according to one of Claims 8 to 11, in which a kit is used according to at least one claim dependent on Claim 6, further comprising the step of completely inserting the parallelepipedic filling element (16) into the one of the longitudinal grooves (2) or, where appropriate, in one of the additional longitudinal grooves (13,14). Furniture element mounted using at least one kit according to one of claims 1 to 7.